We can read all over the Internet about safety tips and ways to protect your home from intruders. Who better to tell you, though, than the ones who commit the crimes? Richard T. Wright, author of the book Burglars on the Job, interviewed several convicted burglars to gain insight into what they look for in a potential “job” and to understand their mindsets and methodologies. Some of what he found is included below from the perspective of a burglar.
Read MoreThere are so many things to worry about when you are a homeowner – leaks, painting, yard work, repairs, and the list goes on and on. One of the perhaps most important things, although frequently overlooked until it’s too late, is protecting your home from fire. There have been several reports in the news recently about deadly house fires caused by heaters. This is a particular concern throughout the winter, as portable heaters are often not used properly or malfunction.
This raises the question, “When you’re not home, who is making sure your home is safe from fire?” Even more importantly, when you ARE home, who is making sure you are alerted quickly and firefighters are dispatched immediately?
Of course, you should always make sure you have working smoke detectors all throughout your house and regularly check the batteries. However, these are only but so helpful when you are not at home, and certainly do not help to get emergency personnel dispatched to your home quickly.
Fortunately, Watch Guard offers a system that provides continuous monitoring for fire emergencies. Our detectors are tied into the system to both sound the alarm and dispatch the fire department at the same time. If you are home, this will get you out of the house faster and send help coming your way sooner. If you are away from home, this will help minimize damages by dispatching firefighters, rather than letting the fire continue to burn.
Another thing to consider is the protection of your beloved pets while you are away from the house. If you spend a lot of time travelling or working away from the house during the day, who is protecting your pets from fire while you’re gone? Having a home monitoring system that will send emergency crews to your home may end up saving the life of your pet, as well as all of your treasured memories in your home.
At Watch Guard, our home security goes far beyond protecting against intrusion – we care about your whole life and want to protect you and your loved ones from all dangers and threats, fire included. If you have any questions about protecting your home, please give Watch Guard a call today!
What were your fears as a young child? Was it the monster under your bed? The boogieman in your closet? As a kid, I always thought that grown-ups were fearless. They were the brave guardians over us; and as long as they were in the room, all would be well.
Since growing up, though, I’ve realized that we big kids have our own sets of fears now, too. They may not be monsters or boogiemen; but most of us have, at some point in time, been fearful for our safety.
These fears may be particularly present for certain women who travel alone, are at home alone during the day, or are left alone for long periods of time without their spouses (such as in the military or traveling professions). Now that said, safety for men is just as important and just as real a concern, but women are oftentimes presented with circumstances that cause them to be particularly vulnerable to an attack.
The most important advice to follow, though, is to trust your instincts. Intuition is a powerful force; and even if the situation seems innocent on the surface, if your gut is telling you otherwise, leave immediately.
If you’d like more information on personal safety, please contact us at Watch Guard. Our goal is your security and peace of mind, and we want all of our clients to sleep easily at night, not having to live in fear of their grown-up monsters!
The holiday season is wrapping up, and many of us are hitting the road. It’s been a busy few weeks, and now all that’s left is the long trip home, unpacking, and taking down all the decorations. In a couple days, we’ll be back to our normal lives. What is important not to overlook on your trip home is travel safety. We may think that road rage, carjacking, or other safety concerns only happen in the movies or to other people. The truth is, though, it can happen to any one at any time. The good news is that there are some basic precautions you can take to help minimize your risk during your post-holiday travels.
As a general safety precaution, always drive with your doors locked. If on a road with frequent stoplights, stop signs, or heavy traffic, roll your windows up. Whenever your car is stationary, it becomes vulnerable. Keep enough distance between the cars around you to allow for you to pull away if someone were to begin getting in your car. NEVER pick up hitchhikers – EVER! If you stop somewhere to shop or eat, try to park near the door or underneath a light. While you are travelling, lock any valuables in your trunk so as not to entice intruders. Be smart and think through simple safety measures you can take on a daily basis to keep you safe on the road.
If you do happen to have an encounter where you are being provoked on the road, whether it is a simple nudge on the bumper or a more aggressive act, drive away! Your safety is most important – don’t let your anger cause you to engage in a potentially dangerous situation. Definitely do not roll down your window, but do try to get their license plate, if safely possible. Call the police, and head to a public place or a police station. Especially if you feel you are being followed, do not go to your home. You do not want the aggressor to know where you live. Always head to a safe and busy public location where you can get help.
Depending on the situation, if you find yourself in a fender bender, with a flat tire, or broken down, your safest course of action may be to stay in your car with locked doors. Remember, too, that many cars will automatically unlock when put in park. Call your insurance, the police, roadside assistance, or a friend – whatever is necessary for your circumstances. Do not trust strangers. If someone stops to assist you, ask him to phone for help or go to the nearest service station to let them know you need help. If you feel you are in danger, you should immediately call the police or begin honking your horn to try to ward off any attacker.
Long road trips are hard enough without having to deal with the dangers of road rage and carjacking. To avoid becoming a victim, follow these general safety guidelines, always have a charged cell phone, stay alert, and trust your instincts! If you would like any more information on staying safe once you get home, please visit us today!
Christmas is over, and the hustle and bustle of the season is beginning to slow down. As you catch your breath for the first time in the last month, you look around at all the Christmas clutter scattered across your house. Peeking out under it all, though, you see glimpses of your new gifts – jewelry, tablets, cell phones, televisions, computers, video games, furniture, etc. You know how much you’re loving them, but what do you need to do now to keep them safe?
Many electronics, technology, and appliances have the ability to be registered with the company. This allows you to not only keep track of any recalls, updates, and warranty information, but it also often allows for tracking should your gift ever get lost or stolen. Be sure to file away in a safe place any related paperwork, as well. For any high dollar items, you should call your insurance company and update your policy to be sure your new gifts are covered. Taking pictures of these items in your home is also important for your records.
I’m sure you saw the countless pictures of unwrapping gifts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter all throughout the day on Christmas. If you choose to post pictures of your gift-giving fun, be careful to avoid your big-ticket items. If you publicize all the valuable gifts now in your home, you are just asking for some friend or follower to come help themselves to your new treasures. You also want to be careful with what you put on the curb in the trash for your neighbors to see. Those big screen television boxes waiting for the trash truck are announcing what’s now inside your home ready for the taking.
If you haven’t already done so, you may want to consider investing in a home security system to protect your newly received gifts. You can take all the preventative and proactive measures possible to avoid a break-in; but when it comes down to it, sometimes there is just nothing you can do except stop it when it starts. A quality alarm system can scare away intruders, alert you and the authorities, and serve as a strong safeguard for your family and your valuables.
If you are interested in how Watch Guard can help secure your new Christmas treasures, please give us a call today!
